Knee Support System for Paddle Watercraft

ABSTRACT

A three-point knee support system for a watercraft is described. Detachable adjustable shoulder straps and detachable adjustable hip belt straps from a backpack adapted to carry the uninflated or deflated watercraft in the situation where the watercraft is inflatable, are attached to three locations on each of the side walls of the watercraft for holding a paddler&#39;s or user&#39;s knee against that sidewall, in order to enable the paddler to more easily and accurately control the watercraft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/800,851 for “Knee Support System for Paddle Watercraft” by Patrick Kelley Smith, which was filed on Feb. 4, 2019, the entire content of which application is hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches.

BACKGROUND

It is common for whitewater kayaks and canoes to be fitted with knee braces to enable a user to have greater control over the boat compared with that provided solely by a paddle, by using body weight and leg muscles. This is especially true for open cockpit, soft-sided boats, such as lightweight inflatable boats suitable for backcountry use. Typically, adjustable thigh straps are employed.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an embodiment of the knee support system for a watercraft, hereof, includes: a first strap having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a second side; a first attachment member affixed to the first strap near the first end; a first chosen length of webbing having a standing end and a free end; a second attachment member affixed to the standing end of the first chosen length of webbing; a first adjustment buckle affixed to the first strap near the second end thereof for receiving the free end of the first chosen length of webbing, such that the distance between the first adjustment buckle and the second attachment member is adjusted by adjusting the free end of the first chosen length of webbing; at least two strap attachment members disposed on the first side of the first strap; a second strap having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a second side; a third attachment member affixed to the second strap near the first end, such that the third attachment member is attached to one of the at least two strap attachment members disposed on the first side of the first strap; a second chosen length of webbing having a standing end and a free end; a fourth attachment member affixed to the standing end of the second chosen length of webbing; a second adjustment buckle affixed to the second strap near the second end for receiving the free end of the second chosen length of webbing, such that the distance between the second adjustment buckle and the fourth attachment member is adjusted by adjusting the free end of second chosen length of webbing; a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on the watercraft for receiving the first attachment member; a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on the watercraft for receiving the second attachment member affixed to the standing end of the first chosen length of webbing; and at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on the watercraft in between the forward attachment element and the rear attachment element, for attaching the fourth attachment member affixed to the standing end of the second chosen length of webbing to one of the at least two attachment elements; whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting either or both of the free end of the first chosen length of webbing and the free end of the second chosen length of webbing.

In another aspect of the present invention and in accordance with its purposes, as embodied and broadly described herein, another embodiment of the knee support system for a watercraft hereof includes: a first strap having a first attachment member affixed to a first end, a second attachment member attached at a first adjustable length to a second end of the first strap, and at least two strap attachment members affixed to said first strap between the first attachment member and the second attachment member; a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on the watercraft for attaching the first attachment member; a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on the watercraft for attaching the second attachment member; a second strap having a third attachment member affixed to a first end, and a fourth attachment member attached at a second adjustable length to a second end of the second strap; and at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on the watercraft in between said forward attachment element the said rear attachment element, for attaching the third attachment member to one of the at least two attachment elements, the fourth attachment member being attached to one of the at least two strap attachment members affixed to the first strap; whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting either or both of the first adjustable length and the second adjustable length.

Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a knee support system for a paddle watercraft including detachable shoulder straps and detachable hip belt straps from a backpack adapted for carrying the uninflated or deflated watercraft, in the situation where the watercraft is inflatable, and attached at three locations on each side of the watercraft, for enabling the user or paddler to more accurately control the watercraft. The straps secured at the three attachment locations on each side of the watercraft hold each of the user's knees against the walls of the watercraft while permitting the user to quickly disengage from the system in case of an emergency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic representations of a rear perspective view of a generally cylindrical backpack, adapted for carrying an inflatable kayak or canoe, once deflated or uninflated, having detachable shoulder straps and detachable hip belt straps or members, a top zipper for opening (as shown in FIG. 1B) and closing (as shown in FIG. 1A) the backpack for access to a main compartment, and a haul handle.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a top view of the left shoulder strap, FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of a top view of the right shoulder strap, FIG. 2C is a schematic representation of a top view of left hip belt strap or member, and FIG. 2D is a schematic representation of a top view of right hip belt strap or member, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, hereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a top perspective view of an inflatable boat having a wall and an opposing wall and illustrating a forward attachment loop secured to a wall of the boat using a forward loop attachment patch, a rearward attachment loop secured to the wall using a rearward loop attachment patch, an intermediate attachment loop secured to the wall using an intermediate loop attachment patch between the forward and rearward loop attachment patches, and the attachment of one of the shoulder straps and one hip belt to these attachment loops using attachment hooks.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a top perspective view of an inflatable boat a having wall and an opposing wall and illustrating a forward attachment loop secured to a wall of the boat using a forward loop attachment patch, a rearward attachment loop secured to the wall using a rearward loop attachment patch, a plurality of intermediate attachment loops secured to the wall using an intermediate loop attachment patch between the forward and rearward loop attachment patches, and the attachment of one of the shoulder straps and one hip belt to these attachment loops using attachment hooks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, embodiments of the present apparatus include a knee support system for paddle watercraft, which include inflatable watercraft.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the Figures, similar structure will be identified using identical reference characters. It will be understood that the FIGURES are presented for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. Turning now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrated are schematic representations of a rear perspective view of generally cylindrical backpack, 10, adapted for carrying an inflatable kayak or canoe, having detachable shoulder straps, 12 a and 12 b, upper strap attachment loops, 14 a, and, 14 b, and lower strap attachment loops, 16 a, and 16 b, detachable hip belts or members, 18 a, and, 18 b, attached to backpack 10 at lower attachment locations, 16 a, and, 16 b, top zipper, 20, for opening (as shown in FIG. 1B) and closing (as shown in FIG. 1A) backpack 10 for access to main compartment, 22, and haul handle, 24. It should be mentioned that main compartment 20 can be accessed by a side zipper in some embodiments, and not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a top view of left shoulder strap 12 a, FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of a top view of right shoulder strap 12 b, FIG. 2C is a schematic representation of a top view of left hip belt member 18 a, and FIG. 2D is a schematic representation of a top view of right hip belt member 18 b, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Illustrated are attachment hooks, 24 a, and, 24 b, for attachment to upper and lower attachment loops 14 a and 16 a of shoulder strap 12 a of backpack 10, respectively, attachment hooks, 26 a, and, 26 b, for attachment to upper and lower attachment loops 14 b and 16 b of shoulder strap 12 b of backpack 10, respectively, at least one pair of attachment loops, 28 a, and, 28 b, on outside surface 30 of shoulder strap 12 a and at least one pair of attachment loops 32 a, and, 32 b, on outside surface, 34, of shoulder strap 12 b. Also shown in FIG. 2 are attachment hook, 36 a, on hip belt member 18 a, and attachment hook, 38 a, on hip belt 18 b, for attachment to attachment loops 28 a or 28 b on shoulder strap 12 a and for attachment to attachment loops 32 a or 32 b on shoulder strap 12 b, respectively. Attachment hooks 24 a, 24 b, 26 a, 26 b, 36 a, and 38 a, are illustrated as comprising G-hook webbing buckles; however, other attachment devices would be effective. For strength and durability, the G-hook webbing attachment hooks may comprise metals, or sturdy plastics, as examples.

Adjustment strap, 40, in cooperation with adjustable strap buckle, 42, is used to adjust the overall length of shoulder strap 12 a, adjustment strap, 44, in cooperation with adjustable strap buckle, 46, is used to adjust the overall length of shoulder strap 12 b, adjustment strap, 48, in cooperation with adjustable strap buckle, 50, on top surface, 51, of hip belt member 18 a, is used to adjust the overall length of hip belt member 18 a, and adjustment strap, 52, in cooperation with adjustable strap buckle, 54, on top surface, 55, of hip belt member 18 b, is used to adjust the overall length of hip belt 18 b. Opposing inside surfaces to outside surfaces 30, 34, 51, and 55, not shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, may be padded using compressible materials to improve comfort of shoulder straps 12 a and 12 b, and hip belts 18 a and 18 b when used with backpack 10 or with inflatable boat 64.

Side release webbing buckle, 56, may be used to rapidly separate shoulder strap 12 a into two portions, side release webbing buckle, 58, may be used to separate shoulder strap 12 b into two portions, side release webbing buckle, 60, may be used to separate hip belt 18 a into two portions, and side release webbing buckle, 62, may be used to separate hip belt 18 b into two portions. The adjustable strap buckles and side release webbing buckles may comprise metals, or sturdy plastics, as examples.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a top perspective view of inflatable boat, 64, having wall, 66, and opposing wall, 68. Shown on wall 66 are forward attachment loop, 70, secured to wall 66 using forward loop attachment patch, 72, and rearward attachment loop, 74, secured to wall 66 using rearward loop attachment patch, 76. Between forward loop attachment patch 72 and rearward loop attachment patch 76, intermediate attachment loop, 78, is secured to wall 66 using intermediate loop attachment patch, 80. Loop attachment patches 72, 76, and 80, may be constructed from rubber or plastic materials, as examples, and attached to wall 66 using an epoxy or other suitable adhesive, or may be formed integrally with the inflatable boat. A similar attachment loop and loop attachment patch system is deployed on opposing wall 68 of inflatable boat 64.

In use, shoulder strap 12 b is attached to forward attachment loop 70 using attachment hook 26 a, and to rearward attachment loop 74 using attachment hook 26 b. Either hip belt 18 a or 18 b may be attached to intermediate attachment loop 78, using attachment hook 36 b or 38 b, respectively, attachment hook 36 a or 36 b, respectively, being used to attach hip belt 18 a or 18 b to attachment loops 32 a or 32 b.

After loosening adjustment straps 44 and 48 or 44 and 52, depending on which hip belt is used, inflatable boat 64 is placed in the water, and paddler, 84, sitting near stern, 86, of inflatable boat 64, places his or her knee, 82 a, or, 82 b, under or in front of hip belt 18 a, with foot, 88, disposed toward bow, 90. Once straps 44 and 48 or 44 and 52 are snugged down, and the procedure repeated for wall 68, on the other side of inflatable boat 64, the present knee support system is ready to be utilized.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a top perspective view of inflatable boat, 64, having wall, 66, and opposing wall, 68. In this embodiment, shown on wall 66 are forward attachment loop, 70, secured to wall 66 using forward loop attachment patch, 72, and rearward attachment loop, 74, secured to wall 66 using rearward loop attachment patch, 76, as illustrated in FIG. 3 hereof. Between forward loop attachment patch 72 and rearward loop attachment patch 76, intermediate attachment loops, 92 a-92 c, secured to wall 66 using intermediate loop attachment patch, 94, thereby permitting multiple attachment locations of hip belt 18 a to wall 66 using attachment hook 36 b. A plurality of attachment loops may be used, although FIG. 4 illustrates 3 loops. Similar to loop attachment patches 72 and 76, loop attachment patch 94 may be constructed from rubber or plastic materials, as examples, and attached to wall 66 using an epoxy or other suitable adhesive, or may be formed integrally with the inflatable boat. A similar attachment loop and loop attachment patch system is deployed on opposing wall 68 of inflatable boat 64, 96 a-96 c, and 98, respectively.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4 would be used in a similar manner to that described above for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, above.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A knee support system for a watercraft comprising: a first strap having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a second side; a first attachment member affixed to said first strap near the first end; a first chosen length of webbing having a standing end and a free end; a second attachment member affixed to the standing end of said first chosen length of webbing; a first adjustment buckle affixed to said first strap near the second end for receiving the free end of said first chosen length of webbing, such that the distance between said first adjustment buckle and said second attachment member is adjusted by adjusting the free end of said first chosen length of webbing; at least two strap attachment members disposed on the first side of said first strap; a second strap having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a second side; a third attachment member affixed to said second strap near the first end, such that said third attachment member is attached to one of the at least two strap attachment members disposed on the first side of said first strap; a second chosen length of webbing having a standing end and a free end; a fourth attachment member affixed to the standing end of said second chosen length of webbing; a second adjustment buckle affixed to said second strap near the second end for receiving the free end of said second chosen length of webbing, such that the distance between said second adjustment buckle and said fourth attachment member is adjusted by adjusting the free end of second chosen length of webbing; a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for receiving said first attachment member; a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for receiving said second attachment member affixed to the standing end of said first chosen length of webbing; and at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on said watercraft in between said forward attachment element and said rear attachment element, for attaching said fourth attachment member affixed to the standing end of said second chosen length of webbing to one of said at least two attachment elements; whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting either or both of the free end of said first chosen length of webbing and the free end of said second chosen length of webbing.
 2. The knee support system of claim 1, further comprising a first adjustable side release buckle affixed to said first chosen length of webbing between said first adjustment buckle and said second attachment member, for releasing said first adjustment buckle from said second attachment member.
 3. The knee support system of claim 1, wherein the at least two strap attachment members are disposed on said first strap in the vicinity of the second end of said first strap.
 4. The knee support system of claim 1, wherein said first attachment member and said first adjustment buckle are disposed on the first side of said first strap.
 5. The knee support system of claim 1, wherein said third attachment member and said second adjustment buckle are disposed on the first side of said second strap.
 6. The knee support of claim 1, further comprising a first padding member disposed on the second side of said first strap.
 7. The knee support of claim 1, further comprising a second padding member disposed on the second side of said second strap.
 8. The knee support system of claim 1, wherein said first attachment member, said second attachment member, said third attachment member, and said fourth attachment member comprise G-hook webbing buckles.
 9. The knee support system of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment buckle and said second adjustment buckle comprise ladder lock buckles.
 10. The knees support system of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment buckle and said second adjustment buckle comprise ladder lock slider buckles.
 11. The knee support system of claim 1, wherein said first strap is adapted to serve as one shoulder strap on a backpack, and said second strap is adapted to serve as one waste band on a backpack.
 12. The knee support system of claim 11, wherein said watercraft comprises an inflatable watercraft, and said backpack comprises a volume into which said inflatable watercraft is inserted.
 13. A knee support system for a watercraft comprising: a first strap having a first attachment member affixed to a first end, a second attachment member attached at a first adjustable length to a second end of said first strap, and at least two strap attachment members affixed to said first strap between said first attachment member and said second attachment member; a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for attaching said first attachment member; a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for attaching said second attachment member; a second strap having a third attachment member affixed to a first end, and a fourth attachment member attached at a second adjustable length to a second end of said second strap; and at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on said watercraft in between said forward attachment element and said rear attachment element, for attaching said third attachment member to one of said at least two attachment elements, said fourth attachment member being attached to one of the at least two strap attachment members affixed to said first strap; whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting either or both of the first adjustable length and the second adjustable length.
 14. The knee support system of claim 13, wherein the at least two strap attachment members are disposed on said first strap in the vicinity of the second end of said first strap.
 15. The knee support of claim 13, further comprising a first padding member disposed on a side of said first strap.
 16. The knee support of claim 13, further comprising a second padding member disposed on a side of said second strap.
 17. The knee support system of claim 13, wherein said first attachment member, said second attachment member, said third attachment member, and said fourth attachment member comprise G-hook webbing buckles.
 18. The knee support system of claim 13, wherein said first strap is adapted to serve as one shoulder strap on a backpack, and said second strap is adapted to serve as one waste band on a backpack.
 19. The knee support system of claim 18, wherein said watercraft comprises an inflatable watercraft, and said backpack comprises a volume into which said inflatable watercraft is inserted.
 20. A kit comprising a backpack and an inflatable watercraft: said backpack comprising: a pack portion having a volume adapted to receive said watercraft; a first upper shoulder strap attachment member; a second upper shoulder strap attachment member; a first lower shoulder strap attachment member; and a second lower shoulder strap attachment member; said shoulder straps comprising: a first strap having a first attachment member affixed to a first end, a second attachment member attached at a first adjustable length to a second end of said first strap, and at least two first strap attachment members affixed to said first strap between said first attachment member and said second attachment member; a second strap having a third attachment member affixed to a first end, a fourth attachment member attached at a second adjustable length to a second end of said second strap, and at least two second strap attachment members affixed to said second strap between said third attachment member and said fourth attachment member; a third strap having a fifth attachment member affixed to a first end, and a sixth attachment member attached at a third adjustable length to a second end of said third strap, said fifth attachment member capable of being attached to one of the at least two first strap attachment members; and a fourth strap having a seventh attachment member affixed to a first end, and an eighth attachment member attached at a fourth adjustable length to a second end of said fourth strap, said seventh attachment member capable of being attached to one of the at least two second strap attachment members; and said inflatable watercraft comprising: a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on said inflatable watercraft for attaching said first attachment member; a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on said inflatable watercraft for attaching said second attachment member; and at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on said inflatable watercraft in between said forward attachment element and said rear attachment element, for attaching said sixth attachment member to one of said at least two attachment elements, said fifth attachment member being attached to one of the at least two first strap attachment members affixed to said first strap; whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting any or all of the first adjustable length, the second adjustable length, the third adjustable length and said fourth adjustable length. 